About St. Francis de Sales · Mableton, Georgia
St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church is a personal parish located in Mableton, Georgia, and the only parish in the Archdiocese of Atlanta dedicated exclusively to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (the Traditional Latin Mass). It is served by priests of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP), with all Masses and sacraments celebrated according to the Roman Rite liturgical books of 1962, in accordance with the provisions of the indult Ecclesia Dei. The parish serves over 200 registered families and provides the Traditional Latin Mass and sacraments on a daily basis for the entire Atlanta metropolitan area and north Georgia region.
- Established
- 1999
- Patron
- St. Francis de Sales
- Rector
- Fr. Christopher Hathaway, FSSP
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Atlanta (Deanery: Northwest Metro; County: Cobb)
Why belong here
St. Francis de Sales is the only parish in the Archdiocese of Atlanta where the Traditional Latin Mass and sacraments (in the 1962 liturgical books) are offered on a daily basis, making it a spiritual home for Catholics attached to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite in the Atlanta metro and north Georgia. The parish offers a tight-knit community life through Sunday socials in the parish hall, a CCD religious education program for K–12, a St. Vincent de Paul Society for charitable outreach, the Guild of St. Stephen for altar servers, and a parish bookstore, all under the spiritual care of FSSP priests dedicated to the care of souls in this liturgical tradition.
Mass times at St. Francis de Sales
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 20 minutes before Mass (typical)
- 30 minutes before certain Masses
- Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
- Sunday 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration 7:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Eucharistic Adoration 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
- Holy Thursday: Adoration until Midnight after the Mass of the Lord's Supper
- Good Friday: Adoration in church until Midnight
About St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church
St. Francis de Sales is a personal parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta, dedicated to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. Located in Mableton, Georgia, the parish is served by priests of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) and operates with the approval of the Archbishop of Atlanta. All Masses and sacraments are celebrated according to the Roman Rite Liturgical Books of 1962, in accord with the provisions of the indult Ecclesia Dei.
- Only parish in the Archdiocese of Atlanta dedicated to the Extraordinary Form
- Served by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP)
- All sacraments offered in the 1962 liturgical books
- Serves 200+ registered families and the broader north Georgia region
History
The community that became St. Francis de Sales began with monthly Traditional Latin Masses at Sacred Heart Church in downtown Atlanta in February 1995, supported by Monsignor Stephen Churchwell and Archbishop John F. Donoghue. After a successful trial period in which each Mass averaged 500 attendees, the FSSP was invited to establish a permanent apostolate in the Archdiocese. The community moved through several locations — Alpharetta, St. Joseph Maronite Church, the Kelley & Leak Funeral Home chapel in Decatur, and Sts. Peter and Paul Parish — before purchasing the former Grace Baptist Church in Mableton. Archbishop Donoghue erected the personal parish effective January 29, 1999, with Fr. Mark F. Fischer as founding pastor. Archbishop Donoghue consecrated the church on October 8, 2000.
- 1994: Lay Catholics contact Fr. Bisig of the FSSP to request a Latin Mass apostolate
- February 1995: Monthly Latin Masses begin at Sacred Heart Church, Atlanta
- Christmas Eve 1995: Fr. Mark F. Fischer arrives as first resident FSSP priest
- January 29, 1999: Parish canonically established by Archbishop Donoghue
- October 8, 2000: Church building consecrated by Archbishop Donoghue
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Christopher Hathaway, FSSP, Pastor (installed July 13, 2025), and is assisted by Fr. Joseph Favole, FSSP as Parochial Vicar, and Fr. Brian T. Austin, FSSP, Priest in Residence with the faculties of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. Rev. Mr. Douglas Anderson serves as Permanent Deacon. Lay staff include the parish Office Manager, Director of Religious Education, Sacristan, Director of Parish Life & Liturgy, Bookstore Manager, and heads of Facilities, Technology, and Security.
- Fr. Christopher Hathaway, FSSP — Pastor
- Fr. Joseph Favole, FSSP — Parochial Vicar / Assistant
- Fr. Brian T. Austin, FSSP — Priest in Residence
- Rev. Mr. Douglas Anderson — Permanent Deacon
- Thomas Cole — Director of Religious Education
- Mrs. Abbey Cocco — Bookstore Operations
- Mrs. Melissa Cordova — Facilities & Technology
- Mrs. Danijela Chancey — Senior Master of Ceremonies
- Mr. Scott Calta — President, Guild of St. Stephen
- Mr. Joseph Cocco — Security
Sacraments
All seven sacraments are offered according to the 1962 liturgical books of the Roman Rite. Reconciliation is heard in Latin behind a screen. Baptisms are arranged through the parish office, and Last Rites / Anointing of the Sick are available by calling the parish and selecting option 9. The parish also offers inquiry for those wishing to convert (RCIA), First Communion, Confirmation, and Matrimony preparation.
- Baptism — contact parish office 770-948-6888
- Reconciliation — in Latin, kneeling behind a screen
- Holy Eucharist — Traditional Latin Mass
- Confirmation
- Matrimony
- Anointing of the Sick / Last Rites — call (770) 948-6888 option 9
- RCIA / Catechumenate for those desiring to convert
Religious Education & Formation
The parish's CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) program provides Catholic education for youth in kindergarten through 12th grade, running from August through May every Sunday. The program is designed to foster the highest spiritual, intellectual, and moral development of students in the traditional Catholic tradition. The Director of Religious Education, Thomas Cole, oversees the program.
- CCD Program for K–12
- Sunday classes August through May
- Director of Religious Education: Thomas Cole
Volunteer Opportunities
St. Francis de Sales depends on a robust corps of parish volunteers across liturgical, hospitality, facilities, and operations teams. Liturgical volunteers include altar boys (the Guild of St. Stephen), Sacristan assistants, floral volunteers, liturgical linens volunteers, and liturgical cleaners. Hospitality teams run the social hall, kitchen, and baristas for coffee and donuts after Mass. Operations teams include money counters, bookstore assistants, and a technology team. Facilities and yard workdays draw families together. All new volunteers must complete the Archdiocese of Atlanta's volunteer application and background screen, with Virtus Protecting God's Children training for those working with children and vulnerable adults.
- Liturgical Environment (Sacristan, Altar Guild, Ushers, Floral)
- Hospitality (Special Event Hosts, Kitchen Hosts, Baristas)
- Operations (Money Counters, Bookstore, Technology Team)
- Facilities (Yard Work, Painting, Cleaning)
- Volunteer Onboarding: application, background screen, Virtus training
Outreach & Charitable Works
The parish operates a St. Vincent de Paul Society conference devoted to charitable outreach, financial assistance, and food assistance for those in need. Parishioners are encouraged to be involved in various events and ministries, both within the parish and to serve the wider community.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — financial and food assistance
Liturgical Life & Devotions
All liturgical services follow the 1962 Roman Rite. The parish celebrates the rosary 30 minutes before every Mass, offers Eucharistic Adoration on scheduled days, observes Stations of the Cross every Friday in Lent followed by a Low Mass, celebrates the First Saturday Devotion after the 9:00 a.m. Mass, and marks the parish's patronal feast of St. Francis de Sales with a Solemn High Mass on January 29.
- Rosary: 30 minutes before all Masses
- Stations of the Cross — every Friday in Lent at 7:00 p.m.
- First Saturday Devotion
- Patronal Feast — January 29 (Mass for St. Francis de Sales)
- Holy Week: Palm Sunday Blessing of Palms, Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper, Good Friday liturgy, Holy Saturday Tenebrae, Easter Vigil
Parish Life
Community life at St. Francis de Sales centers on the Sunday socials after the 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses, when parishioners gather in the Social Hall for coffee and fellowship. The parish bookstore is open Sundays 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and stocks traditional Catholic books, devotionals, and sacramentals. The parish encourages involvement in ministries and events as part of building a strong traditional Catholic community.
- Sunday Socials in the Social Hall after 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses
- Parish Bookstore — Sundays 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Visit & Contact
Newcomers are warmly welcomed at all Masses. The parish office is open during posted hours; staff can be reached at (770) 948-6888 or by email at [email protected]. For Last Rites, callers dial the parish number and select option 9. The parish is located at 587 Landers Drive SW, Mableton, GA 30126, in the southwest Atlanta metro area in Cobb County.
- Address: 587 Landers Dr SW, Mableton, GA 30126
- Phone: (770) 948-6888
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.fsspatl.com/
- Last Rites: (770) 948-6888, option 9
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Mark F. Fischer, FSSP1999–2003 (founding pastor)
First priest of the FSSP Atlanta apostolate; arrived Christmas Eve 1995; led the community through its establishment as a personal parish on January 29, 1999 and the consecration of the church on October 8, 2000.
- Fr. Robert Fromageot, FSSPSpring 2003 – July 2004
Became pastor in spring 2003; left in July 2004 to pursue a degree in moral theology in Rome.
- Fr. Denis G. Bouchard, FSSP2004 – February 2008
Assisted by Fr. Laurent Demets, FSSP as parochial vicar; transferred to another FSSP apostolate in February 2008.
- Fr. Mark F. Fischer, FSSPFebruary 2008 – July 2010
Founding pastor returned to lead the parish for a second term.
- Fr. Howard Venette, FSSPJuly 2010 – 2012
Transferred to another FSSP apostolate in 2012.
- Fr. Matthew McCarthy, FSSP2012 – 2017
Previously served as parochial vicar at the parish; became pastor in 2012.
- Fr. Carlos Casavantes, FSSP2017 – 2018
Transferred in 2018.
- Fr. Joseph DeGuzman, FSSP2018 – 2020
Previously served as parochial vicar at the parish.
- Fr. Robert Dow, FSSP2020 – c. 2025
Replaced Fr. DeGuzman as pastor in 2020.
- Fr. Christopher Hathaway, FSSPJuly 13, 2025 – Present
Current pastor.
- Fr. Paul Roman, FSSP
Associate priest who served alongside founding pastor Fr. Fischer.
- Fr. Nicholas Zolnerowicz (Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament)
Parochial vicar; served until his retirement in 2003; died in 2008.
- Fr. Laurent Demets, FSSP2003 – 2007
Parochial vicar; left to serve an FSSP community in the Diocese of Little Rock, Arkansas.
- Fr. Roberto Cano, FSSP2007 – 2009
Parochial vicar.
- Fr. Thomas Fritschen, FSSP2009 – 2010
Parochial vicar.
- Fr. Christopher Pelster, FSSP2011
Parochial vicar.
- Fr. Matthew McCarthy, FSSP2011 – 2012
Parochial vicar; subsequently became pastor.
- Fr. Joel Kiefer, FSSP2012 – 2015
Parochial vicar / assistant pastor; offered Solemn High Mass for the parish's patronal feast.
- Fr. Joseph DeGuzman, FSSP2015 – 2018
Parochial vicar; subsequently became pastor.
- Fr. James Smith, FSSP2018 – Present (as parochial vicar)
Parochial vicar per Wikipedia article.